Boy, 7, attacked by bear cub while playing in backyard with sibling

23 August 2023 , 22:42

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The bear cub, seemingly unaffected by the officers' presence, was killed at the scene (Image: Getty Images)

A young seven-year-old boy's outside playtime with his sibling was abruptly interrupted when a bear cub viciously attacked him in his own backyard in New York's Westchester County, according to local reports.

Both of the child's parents were home and quickly administered aid. He was later taken to the hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries, according to ABC.

Local Authorities responded to the call at about 11am where they observed a bear cub who didn't seem deterred by the sight of humans.

"Our concern was he did not retreat so at one point he did advance and when you have that many human beings, I would think that an animal of that kind would normally retreat and it did not," the North Castle Police Department Chief Peter Simonsen said. First responders euthanized the bear cub at the scene.

The bear cub was carried out by officers at the scene and later given to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (ABC 7 WS)

The bear cub was carried out by officers at the scene and later given to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The animal was then transported to the Westchester County Department of Health for a rabies test.

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While the situation was the first bear attack the local police were aware of, reports ABC, residents said they knew "there were plenty of bears around." Resident Janet Bates said she fears the worst when she takes her children and pets outside.

Local residents said they knew 'there were plenty of bears around' (ABC 7 WS)

Across the east coast in Polk County, Florida, a bear reportedly broke into a homeowner's fence Tuesday night in an attempt to snatch a woman's pet pig, WFLA reports. The report said that the Florida woman "intercepted' the bear before it could reach her pet pig.

It was 10.22pm when Polk County deputies responded to a residence in the Tanglewood Preserve subdivision in the Loughman area expecting to encounter a bear, however the animal had escaped by the time they arrived. Deputies stood guard while the woman repaired her fence in case the bear returned for a second attempt.

Deputies stood guard while the woman repaired her fence in case the bear returned for a second attempt (ABC 7 WS)

The sheriff's office attributed the encounter to the increased land development in the area, which has altered wild animals' habitats. He reminded residents to be extra careful with pets and to secure all trash that they could get into.

There have been seven bear attacks in the United States so far in 2023, according to data compiled by the National Park Service (NPS). While bear attacks are very rare, reports of human encounters with wild bears have been mounting. Greenmatters.com, a lifestyle media platform focused on environmental content pointed to the mass deforestation by large companies, climate change and wildfires started by "careless humans."

In the event of a bear encounter, NPS advises individuals to lye flat on their stomach, and spread their legs apart. You Keep your pack on as it will help protect you during an attack. Stay still and don't make a sound. You must try to convince the bear that you aren't a threat to it. Lastly, do not get up right away because the bear may still be in the area.

Mataeo Smith